Folding table brace lock assembly

ABSTRACT

A folding table brace lock assembly includes a clip base, a spring leaf, and a tube retainer. The clip base is attached to an underside of a table. The clip base has a slat between a closed rear end and an open front end. The slat forms a clip chamfer at the open front end. The spring leaf is mounted on the clip base at a mounted end and attached to the tube retainer at a free end. The tube retainer forms a retainer chamfer and a barb. The barb points inward to the closed rear end. As a table leg bar separates the clip chamfer and the retainer chamfer, the spring leaf flexes outward. As the bar passes the barb and contacts the closed rear end, the spring leaf flexes back, releasably trapping the leg bar between the slat, the spring leaf, the barb, and the closed rear end.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to folding tables, and in particular to table brace lock assemblies used in folding tables.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Folding tables have been popular for many years because of their space efficiency and general versatility. When not in use or needed, a folding table may be folded up and stored. When additional table space is needed, the table may be removed from storage and opened for use. Typically, folding tables are moved between storage and use, so they are designed to be lightweight and easily transported, on the one hand, but relatively strong and stable in use, on the other hand.

[0003] One aspect that affects the stability of a folding table concerns the way in which its table braces lock into place. The table braces may include, for example, the table legs or table arm supports. While expanding and collapsing the table, the table brace lock assemblies respectively are engaged and disengaged, thereby also affecting the ease of use of the table. Similarly, the table brace lock assembly may affect whether the surface of the table is level on the floor on which the table rests. For example, a poorly designed or constructed table brace lock assembly may prevent the table top from resting at the same height above each table leg, causing the table surface to be tilted. Furthermore, potential buyers of a table may disfavor and possibly avoid the table if its braces are difficult to expand or collapse, do not remain in place, or do not create and maintain a level surface.

[0004] Previous table brace locking mechanisms include, for example, an upside-down “L” bracket attached to the underside of the table with a receiving hole in the vertical portion of the bracket to receive a table leg. The leg then has a horizontal button to lock into the hole on the “L” bracket. This mechanism typically requires, however, that the user look underneath the table and use both hands to position the button into the “L” bracket hole. The user commonly needed to lift the tabletop with one hand and depress the button with the other hand, while lining up the button with the receiving “L” bracket hole. The bracket often is not particularly stable, as the tabletop frequently rests on the button, and the tabletop may be tilted if the brackets are not aligned properly. To collapse the table, the user would have to look under the table and struggle to depress the button to release the leg. Swinging the leg into a collapsed position often required a two-hand operation.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to devise a lock assembly that automatically locks the opened table brace into an extended position and also allows for easily unlocking for table brace for retraction into a stored position. In addition, it would be desirable for the lock assembly to provide a spacer that holds the table top leaf level when extended into a horizontal position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to a folding table brace lock assembly preferably including a clip base, a spring leaf, and a tube retainer. An exemplary rollaway table may have four legs and preferably four lock assemblies, one for each table leg. The lock assembly may be located on an underside of a tabletop. It may be secured to the tabletop underside with, for example, screws, and it may be positioned in an angular setting allowing a table leg to rotate outward and engage the lock assembly.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the clip base may have an attachment geometry that allows the lock assembly to be mounted to the tabletop underside. The clip base may have a leading edge at an open front end of the clip base, the leading edge having a clip chamfer which guides the table leg into the correct position as the leg is rotated into the lock assembly. The leading edge projects from a slat in the middle of the clip base. The thickness of the slat determines the space between the tabletop underside and a top horizontal bar of the rotating table leg. As the slat rests on the top horizontal bar, the table leaf may be held to a level and horizontal position when the table leg is in the extended position.

[0008] The clip base of an exemplary embodiment also may have a mounting geometry to attach the spring leaf to the clip base at a closed rear end of the clip base. The tube retainer may be attached at the open front end of the spring leaf and may have a retainer chamfer angled opposite the clip chamfer above it. As the rotating leg is brought into contact with the open front end of the lock assembly, the clip chamfer on the leading edge of the clip base and the retainer chamfer on the tube retainer directs the table leg top horizontal bar into the lock assembly at the correct height. The dual action of the clip and retainer chamfers alleviates the need for the customer to align the locking assembly and the table leg top horizontal bar.

[0009] The tube retainer also has, for example, a barb just behind the retainer chamfer towards the closed rear end. As the table leg enters the open front end, the top horizontal bar enters the lock assembly, causing the spring leaf to flex outward, increasing the lock assembly opening clearance and allowing the table leg top bar to enter the lock assembly. After the table leg bar passes the tube retainer barb geometry, the spring leaf returns to the at-rest position and the table leg may be held securely in the lock assembly between the barb and the closed rear end. The closed rear end acts as a positive stopping point that guides the legs to always rotate open to the proper angle, without the customer having to look under the tabletop or use both hands to guide the leg. In contrast to the prior art, use of the present invention avoids the need to lift the tabletop with one hand and with the other hand depress the button on a leg while lining up the button with the receiving “L” bracket hole.

[0010] In a locked position of an exemplary embodiment, the tabletop weight now rests on the clip base, which may be supported by the horizontal bar of the table leg. Where previously the tabletop rested on the button with the “L” bracket, the tabletop herein may be held level by the clip base thickness geometry positioning the table at the correct height. To unlock the table leg to allow the leg to be rotated back into a storage position, the user reaches under the tabletop, locates the tube retainer part, presses down on the tube retainer. With the horizontal bar free of the barb, the user can rotate the leg out of the lock assembly. In contrast to the mechanics of the prior art “L” bracket, the mechanics of the present invention do not require a person to look under the table to unlock the leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a table brace lock assembly according to the present invention.

[0012] FIGS. 2A-2B are a bottom plan view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of table brace lock assembly of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the table brace lock assembly of FIG. 1, shown mounted under a tabletop and engaging a table leg, each shown in partial cross-section.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a folding table according to the present invention, the folding table having table legs shown rotated inward.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the entire folding table of FIG. 4.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the entire folding table shown in FIG. 4, the table legs shown rotated outward and locked in the table brace lock assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the folding table of FIG. 6.

[0018] FIGS. 8A-8C are side elevational cross-sections of three exemplary embodiments of table brace lock assemblies according to the present invention.

[0019] FIGS. 9A-9B are side elevational cross-sections of two additional exemplary embodiments of table brace lock assemblies according to the present invention.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a folding table brace lock assembly 100 preferably includes, for example, a clip base 10, a spring leaf 20, a tube retainer 30 and attachment means, such as screws 40. An exemplary rollaway table 1000 (shown in FIGS. 4-7) may have four legs 200 and thus four lock assemblies 100, one for each table leg 200. While the lock assembly 100 may be described herein as engaging table legs 200 that themselves rotate, the lock assembly 100 of the present invention equally well may engage rotating arm supports (not shown) where the legs 200 are fixed and stationary, or otherwise are not designed to engage the tabletop 300.

[0022] The lock assembly 100 may be attached beneath a tabletop 300 by attachment means, such as screws 40, to an underside 310. The lock assembly 100 may be positioned, for example, in an angular setting 320 (see FIG. 4), allowing a table leg 200 to rotate outward and engage the lock assembly 100 (shown in FIG. 6). The clip base 10 may have several features that allow the part to perform multiple functions.

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lock assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The clip base 10 may have an attachment geometry 11 that allows the lock assembly 100 to be mounted to the tabletop 300 underside 310 using, for example, screws 40. The clip base 10 may have a leading edge 12 at an open front end 13 of the clip base 10, the leading edge 12 having a clip chamfer 14 which guides the table leg 200 into the correct position as the leg 200 is rotated into the lock assembly 100. The leading edge 12 projects from a slat 15 in the middle of the clip base 10. As the slat 15 rests on the top horizontal bar 210 (see FIG. 3), the tabletop 300 may be held to a level and horizontal position when the table leg 200 is in the extended position.

[0024] The thickness of the slat 15 determines the space between the tabletop 300 underside 310 and a top horizontal bar 210 of the rotating table leg 200. The thickness of the slat 15 may vary and will be a design choice based on the table 1000 and legs 200 (or arm supports) for which the lock assembly 100 will be used. For example, if a table 1000 has stationary legs 200 and movable arm supports which fold over one another at different depths (not shown), the table 1000 may use lock assemblies 100 having slats 15 of two thicknesses, to accommodate the two depths of the arm supports.

[0025] FIGS. 2A-2B are a bottom plan view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of the exemplary lock assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1. The clip base 10 also may have a mounting geometry 16 to attach the spring leaf 20 to the clip base 10 with, for example, a screw 40 at a closed rear end 17 of the clip base 10. The tube retainer 30 may be attached at the open front end 13 of the spring leaf 20 and may have a retainer chamfer 31 angled opposite the clip chamfer 14 above it. As the rotating leg 200 is brought into contact with the open front end 13 of the lock assembly 100, the clip chamfer 14 on the leading edge 12 of the clip base 10 and the retainer chamfer 31 on the tube retainer 30 direct the table leg 200 top horizontal bar 210 into the lock assembly 100 at the correct height. The dual action of the clip chamfer 14 and retainer chamfer 31 alleviates the need for the customer to align the lock assembly 100 and the table leg 200 top horizontal bar 210.

[0026] A side elevational view of the exemplary lock assembly 100 of FIG. 1 with the leg top bar 210 in the engaged position is shown in FIG. 3. The tube retainer 30 also may have a barb 32 behind the retainer chamfer 31 towards the closed rear end 17. As the table leg 200 enters the open front end 13, the top horizontal bar 210 enters the lock assembly 100, causing the spring leaf 20 to flex outward, increasing the lock assembly 100 opening clearance and allowing the table leg 200 top bar 210 to enter the lock assembly 100. After the table leg 200 bar 210 passes the tube retainer 30 barb 32 geometry, the spring leaf 20 returns to the at-rest position and the table leg 200 may be held securely in the lock assembly 100 between the barb 32 and the closed rear end 17. The closed rear end 17 acts as a positive stopping point that guides the legs 200 to always rotate open to the proper angle, without the customer having to look under the tabletop 300 or use both hands to guide the leg 200.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a folding table 1000 according to the present invention, the folding table 1000 having table legs 200 shown rotated inward in a storage position. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the entire table 1000 of FIG. 4. The angular setting 320 of the lock assembly 100 permits the legs to rotate outward to a locked position. By comparison, FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the entire folding table shown in FIG. 4, the table legs shown rotated outward and locked in the exemplary table brace lock assembly of FIG. 1. In the locked position, the tabletop 300 weight now rests on the clip base 10.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the folding table of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7 the clip base 10 may be supported by the horizontal bar 210 of the table leg 200. The tabletop 300 herein may be held level by the clip base 10 thickness geometry, positioning the table 1000 at the correct height. To unlock the table leg 200 to allow the leg 200 to be rotated back into the storage position, the user reaches under the tabletop 300, locates the tube retainer 30 part, and presses down on the tube retainer 30. With the horizontal bar 210 free of the barb 32, the user can rotate the leg 200 out of the lock assembly 100. In contrast to the mechanics of the “L” bracket, the mechanics of the present invention are simple enough as to not require a person to look under the table 1000 to unlock the leg 200.

[0029] As mentioned above in reference to FIG. 1, the lock assembly 100 of FIG. 1 represents an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Likewise, FIGS. 2-7 relate to FIG. 1 to the extent that specific features rely on the lock assembly 100 of FIG. 1. However, the table brace lock assembly 100 may be embodied in several other ways. The specific lock assembly 100 best suited to a given table 1000 design is a decision of ordinary skill in the art.

[0030] For instance, FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate side elevational cross-sections of three exemplary embodiments of the table brace lock assembly 100.

[0031] The lock assembly 100 of FIG. 8A includes the clip base 10, the spring leaf 20, and the tube retainer 30. However, the clip base 10 of FIG. 8A lacks a definite clip chamfer 14 and the tube retainer 30 lacks the retainer chamfer 31 and the barb 32. Due to the curved nature of the leg bar 210, though, the leg bar 210 still may flex the tube retainer 30 outward, as long as the part of the tube retainer 30 above the spring leaf 20 is not thicker top to bottom than the radius of the curve of the bar 210. The clip base 10 of FIG. 8A also lacks the mounting geometry 16 that forms a positive stop as in FIG. 1. Instead, the spring leaf 20 forms the positive stop against which the bar 210 rests.

[0032] Similarly, the lock assembly 100 of FIG. 8B has the spring leaf 20 forming the positive stop, but FIG. 8B illustrates that the lock assembly 100 may be adjusted for the shape of the leg bar 210. Because the leg bar 210 is rectangular, it lacks the curves that acted as chamfers in FIG. 8A, therefore, the tube retainer 30 again forms a retainer chamfer 31 to promote flexion of the spring leaf 20. The tube retainer 30 also forms a barb 32 that positively positions the leg bar 210 between the barb 32 and the bend in the spring leaf 20. Moreover, the lock assembly 100 of FIG. 8B has eliminated the clip base 10, attaching the spring leaf 20 directly to the underside 310.

[0033] Furthermore, the lock assembly 100 of FIG. 8C reflects the elimination of a separate piece acting as the tube retainer 30. The tube retainer 30 of FIG. 8C may be formed by ripple in the spring leaf 20, also eliminating the need for attachment means to attach the tube retainer 30 to the spring leaf 20. While the spring leaf 20 may be formed to accommodate a curved leg bar 210, the spring leaf 20 of FIG. 8C could be formed to accommodate a rectangular leg bar 210 as in FIG. 8B. In fact, the tuber retainer 30 of FIG. 8C also includes an inside chamfer 33 that could permit the user to simply pull the horizontal bar 210 from the lock assembly 100 without depressing the tube retainer 30 to release the bar 210 from the barb 31.

[0034] While the lock assemblies 100 of FIGS. 8A-8C function in the same manner as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the reduction of features tends to reduce versatility also. Consequently, a lock assembly 100 such as in FIGS. 9A and 9B may be used to incorporate the minimalism of FIG. 8C with the versatility of FIG. 1. The lock assembly 100 of FIG. 9A is designed for a rounded horizontal bar 210, whereas that of FIG. 9B is designed for a rectangular horizontal bar 210. The lock assemblies 100 of FIGS. 9A and 9B depict the spring leaf 20 as forming the both the clip base 10 and the tube retainer 30. By folding the spring leaf 20 over itself, for example, the spring leaf 20 may form the clip base 10, the attachment geometry 11, the leading edge 12, the open front end 13, the clip chamfer 14, the slat 15, closed rear end 17, tube retainer 30, retainer chamfer 31, and barb 32.

[0035] A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, expressed or implied. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A table brace lock assembly comprising: a spring leaf and a tube retainer; the spring leaf having a mounted end, a free end, and at least one bend between the mounted end and the free end; the mounted end being mounted on an underside of the table and forming a closed rear end; the at least one bend displacing the free end from the underside of the table; the free end pointing toward an open front end; and the tube retainer being arranged at the free end; wherein a table brace bar entering the open front end between the table and the tube retainer causes the spring leaf to flex outward, allowing the table brace bar to pass enough of the tube retainer so as to contact the closed rear end, thereby allowing the spring leaf to flex back, releasably trapping the table brace bar between the closed rear end and the tube retainer.
 2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube retainer is formed by a ripple at the free end.
 3. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube retainer is attached to the spring leaf.
 4. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube retainer forms a retainer chamfer.
 5. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube retainer forms a barb.
 6. A table brace lock assembly comprising: a clip base, a spring leaf, and a tube retainer; the clip base having an open front end and a closed rear end opposite the open front end; the spring leaf having a mounted end and a free end; the mounted end being mounted on the clip base at the closed rear end so that the free end points toward the open front end; the tube retainer being arranged at the free end; wherein a table brace bar entering the open front end between the clip base and the tube retainer causes the spring leaf to flex outward, allowing the table brace bar to pass enough of the tube retainer so as to contact the closed rear end, thereby allowing the spring leaf to flex back, releasably trapping the table brace bar between the clip base, the spring leaf, and the tube retainer.
 7. The lock assembly of claim 6, wherein the tube retainer is formed by a ripple at the free end.
 8. The lock assembly of claim 6, wherein the tube retainer is attached to the spring leaf.
 9. The lock assembly of claim 6, wherein the tube retainer forms a retainer chamfer.
 10. The lock assembly of claim 6, wherein the tube retainer forms a barb.
 11. A table brace lock assembly comprising: a clip base, a spring leaf, and a tube retainer; the clip base having a topside, a bottom side, an open front end, a closed rear end opposite the open front end, a slat between the closed rear end and the open front end, and a clip chamfer forming a top leading edge on the slat at the open front end; the spring leaf having a mounted end and a free end; the mounted end being mounted on the clip base at the closed rear end along the bottom side whereby the free end points toward the open front end; the tube retainer forming a bottom leading edge; and, the tube retainer being arranged at the free end so that the bottom leading edge is towards the open front end; wherein a table leg bar entering the open front end between the top leading edge and the bottom leading edge slides along the clip chamfer and the tube retainer, causing the spring leaf to flex outward and allowing the table leg bar to pass enough of the tube retainer so as to contact the closed rear end, thereby allowing the spring leaf to flex back, releasably trapping the table leg bar between the slat, the spring leaf, the tube retainer, and the closed rear end.
 12. The lock assembly of claim 11, wherein the tube retainer is formed by a ripple at the free end.
 13. The lock assembly of claim 11, wherein the tube retainer is attached to the spring leaf.
 14. The lock assembly of claim 11, wherein the tube retainer has a retainer chamfer forming the bottom leading edge; and wherein the table leg bar entering the open front end between the top leading edge and the bottom leading edge slides along the clip chamfer and the retainer chamfer.
 15. The lock assembly of claim 11, wherein the tube retainer forms a barb pointing inward to the closed rear end; and wherein the table leg bar passes the barb before contacting the closed rear end, thereby allowing the spring leaf to flex back, releasably trapping the table leg bar between the slat, the spring leaf, the barb, and the closed rear end. 